ABSTRACT
This study examines the
relationship between distribution strategies and customer loyalty of food and
beverages firms. The Researcher adopted a descriptive survey design. The target
population of the study consisted of Nineteen (19) registered Food and
Beverages Firms, which was obtained from business unit of the Rivers State
Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2023, while the entire population was
adopted using total enumeration method. Primary data were collected using
questionnaire. The Hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment
Correlation Coefficient. The findings revealed that there is a strong and positive
relationship between intensive distribution, selective distribution, exclusive
distribution and word of mouth, repeat purchase of Food and Beverages
Companies. It was concluded that intensive distribution, selective distribution
and exclusive distribution significantly enhances word of mouth and repeat
purchase. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that; the
management of food and beverages firms should target specific regions where
there is high demand or potentials for growth, tailoring distribution
strategies to local preferences and implement loyalty programs to retain
existing customers and encourage repeat purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE - ii
DECLARATION - iii
CERTIFICATION -
DEDICATION - v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - vi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of
the Study
1.2 Statement of the
Research Problem
1.3 Objectives of
the Study
1.4 Research
Questions
1.5 Significance of
the Study
1.6 Scope of the
Study
1.7 Limitation of
the Study
1.8 Definition of
Terms
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Conceptual
Clarification
2.3 Review of Empirical Literature on IT Application in Banks
2.4 ICT and the
Nigeria Banking Industry
2.5 Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) and
Bank Performance
2.6 Return on Asset
(ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) `as Indices for Bank Performance
2.7 The Relationship
Between ICT and Organization Profitability
2.8 ICT Facilitation
of Eco-Bank
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.3 Population of
the study
3.4 Instrument for Data
Collection
3.5 Validity of
Instrument
3.6 Reliability of
Instrument
3.7 Method of Data
Distribution/Collection
3.7.1 Source of Data
Collection
3.7.2 Pretesting the Interview
Guide
3.8 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION,
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF
FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Data
Presentation- Demographic Variables
4.3 Data Analysis
Based on Research Questions
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY,
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
of the Study
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIX: INTERVIEW GUIDE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The financial organization is considerably one
of the largest industries in Nigeria providing employment for an estimated
twenty two thousand people nationwide and generating 9% of the annual GDP of the country. Nigeria is considered to be
one of the fastest growing telecommunication nations in Africa, investing
heavily in ICT and related information technology Chiemeke et al (2006). One of its major investors has been the
banks, however, with their major
investments, the use ICT has
arguably has an effect in efficiency and has made
operations faster nevertheless there has been no major evidence that indicates that they have increased profitability,
profitability has an important factor
for banks and other
organization as it can help
drive economic and organizational growth and most
importantly help organization increase their
profit.
This study delves into the realms of the
financial organizations industry in Nigeria in an attempt to
discover the impact of the use of
ICT has led on profitability. This study will incorporate primary and secondary research in an attempt to determine if the
use of ICT has
improves profitability in
the financial organizations industry and
also to get a better understanding of
the industry or not and their ICT practices. The outcome will be a set of
recommendations aimed at suggesting possible
ways to use ICT to improve
profitability . this study aims at
informing and advising the people in the
Nigerian financial organization industry
considering the use of ICT can be
further used to improve
profitability as well as academics who seek to broaden their insight of the industry in such light. The research and
discussion will be condensed
to a set of recommendation.
The motivation behind conducting this research
into the impact of the use of ICT has on
profitability in the Nigeria financial organizations industry comes from the
lack of such research in the Nigerian
financial region as a series of similar
studies have been carried out in other
developed countries. Nigeria is often regarded
as the giant of Africa more so
they are said to be highest investors in the use of information communication technology in
Africa, the use of ICT has no doubt contributed to the growth of the
various industries in the country however there is no direct knowledge as to if the use of ICT
has increased profitability in the
financial organizations industry, thus the purpose
of this study is to
investigate the impact of
the use of ICT in the Nigerian Financial Organization Industry
on profitability.
1.2
Statement of the Research Problem
Nigeria is faced with enormous problems of
information access. These problems, especially that of low level telephone penetration and uneven access appear to
be insurmountable. The penetration rate in Nigeria in the twentieth century was
less than one line per 1000 population. In spite of efforts made by successive
governments in Nigeria to improve
on the penetration rate the country had
continued to nose-dive as a
result of fresh challenges in terms of building information and communication
technology (ICT) related management and communication infrastructure. This
has resulted in almost negative benefit, both to the
economy and the society as a
whole.
It is
quite evident that Nigeria at
present lacks innovation,
capacities and capabilities in information technology (IT) management and
hardware maintenance. This notwithstanding, the
country has been and will continue
to import and use a wide range
of durable consumer electronics,
computers and telecommunication
equipments. It must therefore being to
accumulate the capabilities to
repair and maintain these vintages.
Indeed, if
Africa is not to be left behind
in global trade and development, it must be able to master
certain basic capabilities in ICT. In addition, the rate
of technical obsolesce is
the natural technologies (such as
steel, textiles and
petrochemicals). The
technological followers in Africa may therefore face the difficulty of
sourcing for parts, components and peripherals unless they begin to
accumulate the capacity for
component manufacture.
Available technology is largely obsolete
electro-mechanical switching system. Presently, some countries are engaged
in massive modernization efforts, Nigeria for instance,
has at present, about 500,000 lines with
about 160,000 lines just added through the on-going digitalization programme.
Technology absorption and mastery takes more
than importation of technology; learning which demands explicit investment is
a perquisite for building
the technical and managerial capabilities.
Given the foregoing, the diffusion of ICT will
have widespread, albeit differentiated impact on all countries, industries and
sectors. Policy must therefore begin to look at variable such as:
·
Change in the structure of industry and services
·
Employment structure,
training and manpower
·
Industrial organization and
management
·
Production processes and products
·
Telecommunication
infrastructure and revolution of service delivery of existing infrastructure,
especially power system
·
Information technology supply
·
How the accelerating growth
impact in trade and long-term
competitiveness and maturation of African industry.
These are
some of the key issues, which from the
focus of this study. This study
also examine the impact of ICT in
the light of these variables, starting with the services and the manufacturing
sectors, its organizational
profitability. While the importance of manufacturing is generally
accepted, the services sector has not always received as
much attention. There are several reasons why a systematic study of ICT
impact on the sector is
important. First, the services are easily and more readily targeted for reforms.
There is very
little in terms of
a systematic study on the impact
of ICT adoption on these sectors in Nigeria. Hence, the decision to examine how
ICT been adopted and diffused in the two sectors. In manufacturing, the emphasis is on the petroleum, pharmaceuticals, textiles, foods
and beverages, and metal working
sectors, since these contribute
significantly to value added. The services
chosen are hotel and tourism, broadcasting, aviation, transport, (railway)
insurance and the capital market,
as significant contributors to the quality
of life of the people.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study project is to answer
the question “does the use of ICT improves profitability in financial
organization in Nigeria” in order to meet this aim, this study seeks accomplish
the following objectives; they are to
1. Identify if the use of ICT improved
profitability in Nigeria organization
2. Determine how ICT can be used effectively to
impact on profitability of organization.
3. Identify the benefits of ICT in organization
4. Identify the problems of ICT in organizations.
1.4 Research Questions
i. Has the
use of ICT improved profitability in Nigeria financial
organizations?
ii. How can ICT be used effectively to impact profitability?
iii. How can the befits of ICT in organization be
identified?
iv. How can the
problems of ICT in organization
be identified?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study is expected to provide
a basis for comprehensive
information on the process of acquisition,
availability and use of ICT gadgets in Nigeria.
The study will attempt to document the available skills and capabilities to ensure sustainable diffusion of ICT in the
Nigeria industries.
How ICT has
changed the composition and structure of knowledge and
employment;
How industrial and service organizations
and management have been altered by emergence of ICT.
How much of ICT is being employed
in production and manufacturing
services outputs, to make significant impact.
The strategies adopted by different firms in
services and manufacturing sectors
to acquire ICT –based technologies.
The role and attitude of the Nigeria state
(using the proxy od state
policies) in encouraging easy acquisition of ICT technologies by operating
firms in the economy.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study was scaled down from
the original proposal and Limited to the
South and Eastern zones of Nigeria due to budgetary constraints on the part of the
African Technology policy Studies( ATPS).
The study will establish the advantages or otherwise of the adoption of ICT in the operation of the organization in the industrial and services
sectors in Nigeria.
The
output of the research will
serve as
a blue print for policy makers and
stake holders to chart the right
course of action for the development of ICT facilities and infrastructure in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
In the study course of writing this project, a few constraints where met as predicted in the project initiation documents, this constraints include:
Access to information: facts and information
where needed and they couldn’t be gotten
off the internet as sucj they has to be
physically collected from the
office of the central bank of
Nigeria and relayed back via email.
Falling ill: in the process of writing this project, the
researcher fell ill two times leaving the pro-unattended to for a total of three weeks
Lack of prior knowledge: the researcher had no
prior knowledge of the point that will be discussed in this study as such
the researcher has to carry
out extensive research and reading so as
to broaden the gap of knowledge.
1.8 Definition of Terms
ATPS: African Technology Policy Studies
CAD: Computer Aided Design
CAN: Computer Association of Nigeria
CRS: Computerized Reservation System
GSM: Global
Service Mobile Communication
ICT: Information Communication Technology
ISPs: Internet Service Providers
IT: Information Technology
NITEL: Nigeria Telecommunication Limited
OECO: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
R&D: Research and Development
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